The fire appears to have started in Tanner's kitchen and was contained to that one apartment, although there was heavy smoke throughout the fourth-floor, Ringgold Volunteer Fire Chief Chuck Johnson said.

The exact cause of his death remains under investigation pending an autopsy, sheriff's investigators said.

Emergency medical crews from North Oswego County Ambulance, McFee and Menter ambulances treated other residents for minor injuries related to the fire at the scene, according to the investigators. Johnson said the minor medical calls were "precautionary" and no one else was seriously injured.

Firefighters helped senior citizens down the stairs as they evacuated the apartment building. The Pulaski Central School District provided school buses to transport about 120 senior citizens, Johnson said. Pulaski Mayor Karl Hax also opened the village offices, across from the apartment complex, so that the buses could take the residents there to stay warm, Johnson said.

Firefighters extinguished the flames at 7:51 a.m., according to 911.

About eight Red Cross volunteer Disaster Action Team members went to the scene to provide comfort for the residents, who eventually returned to their homes, said Danielle Hayden, the Oswego branch director for the American Red Cross of Central New York.

Residents returned to their apartments, floor-by-floor, with the fourth-floor returning last at about 11:30 a.m., Johnson said.

Oswego County sheriff's investigators say they are continuing to investigate.